Refuse compactor support structure

ABSTRACT

A frame structure for use in a refuse compactor defining an enclosure of the compacting space. The frame further is formed to define means for guiding the compacting ram in the compacting operation. The frame may be used in conjunction with an outer, one-piece cabinet where the compactor comprises a freestanding compactor, or may itself define the enclosure of the compactor ram and receptacle without the need for an outer cabinet where the compactor is installed as an under-the-counter compactor. The frame may be formed of sheet metal to provide a simple, low cost support structure.

Miller et atet 1 Jan. 22, 1974 REFUSE COMPACTOR SUPPORT STRUCTURE [75] Inventors: Frank E. Miller; Charles E. Sulcek,

both of Danville, Ky.

[73] Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, Mich.

[22] Filed: Sept. 8, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 178,604

[52] US. Cl. 100/229 A, 100/290 [51] Int. Cl B301) 1/18 [58] Field of Search... 100/214, 229 A, 229R, 290, 100/240, 245

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,602,136 8/1971 Ligh 100/229 X 3,659,427 5/1972 Harza 100/229 X 3,537,390 11/1970 Hinkel et a1. 100/229 X 1,675,669 7/1928 Snyder 100/229 X 3,204,550 9/1965 Swiderski et a1 100/245 X Primary ExaminerBilly J. Wilhite Attorney, Agent, or Firml-1ofgren, Wegner, Allen, Stellman & McCord [5 7] ABSTRACT 18 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEnJAn 22 1914 saw 1 or 5;

I REFUSE COMPACTOR SUPPORT STRUCTURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to refuse compactors and in particular to support structures for use therein.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the conventional refuse compactors, a structural iron frame is provided to carry the compactor components for supporting the same in the use of the compactor wherein substantial compacting forces are generated. conventionally, structural iron guides are provided for guiding the ram during the compacting operation.

The frame conventionally defines an open structure necessitating the use of protective outer wall means where the compactor is installed as an under-thecounter compactor. The cost of such compactors is relatively high because of the large number of separate parts which must be assembled.

Where the compactor is utilized as a freestanding compactor, cabinet walls are secured to the frame to define the outer cabinet. Here, again, a substantial number of separate wall elements and parts are utilized, making the conventional compactor a relatively expensive structure.

Further, servicing of such conventional compactors is relatively difficult because of obstructions and interference presented by the frame elements and because of the necessity for removing a large number of securing elements and the like holding the various cabinet portions to the frame. Further, a large number of fasteners utilized in securing the cabinet elements to the frame must be exposed for selective removal and installation thus substantially detracting from the overall appearance of the compactor structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprehends an improved refuse support structure eliminating the disadvantages of the above discussed prior art structures in a novel and simple manner.

More specifically, the present invention comprehends the provision in a refuse compactor having a refuse holding receptacle, a ram for compacting refuse in the receptacle, and drive means for driving the ram, of improved support structure including a sheet metal frame formed to define an enclosure of the compacting space in which the ram compacts refuse received in the receptacle, means for guiding the ram during such compacting operation, and an opening for selective movement of the receptacle therethrough to and from the compacting space.

The compactor may further include a base structure for supporting the frame in an upright disposition. The means for driving the ram may be disposed rearwardly of the frame to be carried on the base for facilitated servicing accessibility thereto.

A one-piece cabinet maybe installed in surrounding relationship to the frame and drive means where the compactor comprises a freestanding compactor, while the frame itself may comprisethe enclosure of the compactor ram means for satisfying Underwriters Laboratories safety requirements where the compactor corn prises an under-the-counter unit.

The frame structure of the present invention provides an improved high strength support means in such a refuse compactor for increased accuracy in the compacting operation and long trouble-free lift while yet effectively minimizing the weight and cost of the compactor.

For further cost reduction, the frame may be made as symmetrical half frame elements welded together along a vertical central plane of the frame. The frame sections may be secured to the base plate by welding, whereby the frame reinforces the base plate and the base plate reinforces the frame for improved high strength and rigidity in the support structure.

By forming the ram guide means integrally with the frame, improved control of the fit between the ram and the frame is obtained for permitting effectively minimum overall size of the compactor while yet providing high capacity in the compacting operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refuse compactor having a support structure embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the support structure thereof having a roller guide for carrying the compacting drawer, ram means, and sanitizing spray means installed thereon;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the support structure of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a one-piece outer cabinet for use in the freestanding compactor of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a refuse compactor adapted for under-the-counter installation utilizing the support structure of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a horizontal section taken substantially along the line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary vertical section taken substantially along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary transverse vertical section taken substantially along the line 88 of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as disclosed in the drawing, a refuse compactor generally designated 10 is shown to comprise a tubular frame generally designated 11 carried on a base 12. Refuse to be compacted is placed in a drawer receptacle 13 which is selectively movable through a front opening 14 in the cabinet 15 of the compactor between an exposed refuse receiving position, as shown in FIG. 1, and a retracted refuse compacting position in a compacting space 16 disposed within frame 11 rearwardly of the front wall 17 of the cabinet defining opening 14. The refuse is compacted in drawer 13 by means of a ram 18 driven for reciprocal vertical movement by an electric drive motor 19 and an interconnecting drive including a pair of worm drive shafts 20. Operation of the compactor may be effected by operation of control means 21 carried on the front of the cabinet 15. A sanitizing spray device generally designated 22 may be mounted on the frame 11, as shown in FIG. 2, for spraying the refuse placed in drawer 13 prior to the compacting operation as an incident of the movement of the drawer to the retracted position in compacting space 16.

The present invention is concerned with the provision in compactor 10 of an improved support structure defined by frame 11 and base 12, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. As shown therein, frame 11 comprises a tubular structure effectively enclosing space 16. The tubular frame is of a generally parallelepiped configuration with the four vertical corners thereof defining inturned right angular guideways 23 for slidably guiding the ram 18 on its vertical compacting movement. The rear wall 24 of the frame extends the full height of the frame and is provided at its lower corners 25 with cutout portions for extension therethrough of the roller guide rail structure 26 provided for movably carrying drawer 13 on base 12. The sidewalls 27 of the frame may be reinforced with suitable embossed portions 28 for improved rigidity of the frame structure and may include a depending portion 29 adapted to be welded to the sidewall 30 of base 12 for rigidly securing the frame in an upright position on the front of the base. Additional, outturned flanges 31 may be provided at the lower ends of the corners 23 which may similarly be welded to the upper surface 32 of base 12 for rigidly securing the frame thereto.

The front wall 33 of the frame is provided with a lower opening 34 providing access to compacting space 16 by drawer 13. The lower portion of the front wall may be provided with forwardly projecting flanges 35 for rigidifying the frame structure there at and together with the front guideway corners 23 effectively defining the sides of the front opening 34. Projecting flanges 35 also serve to facilitate mounting the cabinet 15 to the frame 11. Frame opening 34 is aligned with cabinet opening 14 for permitting the desired selective movement of the drawer 13 on the roller guides 26 as discussed above. Sidewalls 27 may further be provided at their upper ends with outturned flanges 36. Approximately midway between the top and bottom of the frame, rigid stop members 37 may be provided on the sidewalls extending between the ram guides 23 for limiting the downward movement of the ram into the drawer 13.

Frame 11 may be formed in symmetrical half sections adapted to be welded together at weld portion at the vertical central plane at the rear of the frame and at weld portions 41 to the front wall 56 at the front of the frame, as shown in FIG. 2. Front wall 56 may be formed to carry sanitizing spray means 22 as well as bridge half sections 38 and 39 at the front of the frame. Alternately the wall 56 could be incorporated into the half sections 38 and 39 eliminating it as a separate part. Thus, the frame may be formed economically of sheet metal suitably folded to define the two sections 38 and 39 which together with front wall 56 are secured in the tubular configuration to base 12 which may similarly be formed of folded sheet metal, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

Thus, as best seen in FIG. 3, frame 11 and base 12 effectively comprise a one-piece structure for carrying the refuse holding drawer 13, the ram 18, and the drive means 19,20 for driving the ram in the compacting operation. Additionally, the frame may carry the sanitizing spray means 22 for coordinated relationship of the compactor elements. The frame may be formed of relatively low cost sheet metal and is arranged to define a high strength, lightweight structure providing improved mounting of the compactor elements. The frame effectively encloses the ram and drive means thereby effectively obviating the need for a cabinet structure in association therewith where the compactor is provided as an under-the-counter compactor, as illustrated in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, a front wall generally designated 42 may be provided for aesthetic purposes and carries the control means 21 for operation of the under-the-counter compactor similarly as in the freestanding compactor shown in FIG. 1. A suitable removable cover (not shown) may be installed on the top of the frame and a suitable removable cover (not shown) may be installed over the motor 19 similarly as desired in an under-the-counter installation.

The cabinet 15, as provided in the freestanding compactor 10 shown in FIG. 1, may comprise a one-piece wrapper, as best seen in FIG. 4, which may be formed of sheet metal. As discussed above, the cabinet defines a lower opening 43 in the front wall 44 and may further be provided with an opening 45 above lower opening 14 providing access to the sanitizing spray can 46 through the cabinet front wall. A third opening 47 may be provided in the front wall for accommodating the electrical control means rearwardly of the control console 48 carrying the control switches 21.

The rear wall 49 of the cabinet and sidewalls 50 and 51 extend the full height of the cabinet and may be provided, together with front wall 44, with inturned flanges 52 adapted to carry a cover 53 closing the top of the cabinet. Rear wall 49 may be provided with an inwardly projecting pan 54 provided with a suitable opening 55 for passing of the electrical power cable (not shown) therethrough.

Thus, the present invention comprehends an improved refuse compactor structure wherein manufacturing and assembly cost is substantially reduced by utilization of a substantially reduced number of parts and fabrication expense in the forming of the frame structure of the compactor. The frame and base effectively define an integral one-piece unit with an upright portion of the frame effectively enclosing the compacting space for obviating the need of a separate cabinet enclosure where the compactor comprises an under-thecounter compactor. The improved support structure provides for facilitated servicing of the compactor by permitting servicing of the compactor to be done from the front, top and bottom of the compactor. The frame effectively defines the means for guiding the ram in the compacting operation and eliminates the need for separate structural iron guide elements as previously required. The frame may be stamped from sheet metal to provide improved dimensional control of the relationship between the ram and the frame while concurrently providing improved rigidity in the mounting of the ram thereby providing improved compaction such as where the refuse is asymmetrically disposed in the drawer 13. The frame provides for improved mounting of the ram stops 37 by securing thereof between the ram guides defined by the inturned comer portions of the frame thereby providing further stability to the frame structure in the operation of the compactor. The rear wall 24 of the frame comprises an effective barrier to the motor compartment, obviating the need for special barriers or the like, in accordance with safety requirements. The frame reinforces the base carrying the drive means so as to provide improved rigidity in the drive force transfer from the electric motor 19.

The one-piece cabinet 15 may be readily assembled to the compactor by dropping thereof over the frame assembly with the lower portion of the cabinet being secured to the base 12 by suitable fasteners 57 and to frame 11 at flanges 52 by fasteners such as screws. By

virtue of the use of the one-piece cabinet, a substantial saving in the number of parts and cost of manufacture is obtained as compared to the prior art structures wherein separate cabinet panels were individually installed on the frame structure to define the enclosing compactor housing.

The frame structure 11 is adapted for ready use either with the one-piece cabinet 15 or as a suitable enclosure for the ram structure without the need for such a cabinet in an under-the-counter installation thereby providing further economy in the manufacturing operation by permitting the use of a single frame structure for each of the two different compactor arrangements.

The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is illustrative of the board inventive concepts comprehended by the invention.

We claim:

1. In a refuse compactor having a refuse holding receptacle, a ram for compacting refuse in the re ceptacle, and drive means for driving the ram, support structure comprising: a tubular frame having inturned angle corner portions defining a plurality of spaced vertically elongated guideways for guiding the ram in compacting movement thereof; and a base supporting said frame in an upright disposition and having means extending to outwardly of the lower end of the frame for carrying said receptacle and said drive means in operative association with said ram; 1

2. The refuse compactor structure of claim 1 wherein said frame defines a generally'parallelepiped configuration.

3. In a refuse compactor having a'refuse holding receptacle, a ram for compacting refuse in the receptacle, and drive means for driving the ram, support structure comprising: a tubular frame having formed portions defining vertically elongated guideways for guiding the ram in compacting movement thereof; and means for supporting said frame in an upright disposition, said support structure further defining means for carrying said receptacle and said drive means in operative association with said ram, said frame defining a generally parallelepiped configuration and including inturned corner portions defining said guideways.

4. In a refuse compactor having a refuse holding receptacle, a ram for compacting refuse in the receptacle, and drive means for driving the ram, support structure comprising: a tubular frame having formed portions defining vertically elongated guideways for guiding the ram in compacting movement thereof; and means for supporting said frame in an upright disposition, said support structure further defining means for carrying said receptacle and said drive means in operative association with said ram, said frame defining inturned right angular portions defining said guideways.

5. The refuse compactor structure of claim 4 wherein said frame comprises a formed sheet metal structure.

6. The refuse compactor structure of claim 4 wherein said guideways comprise integral formed portions of said frame.

7. The refuse compactor structure of claim 4 wherein said frame comprises a sheet metal portion defining integral formed rear and side walls, and a front wall secured to the front of said side walls and defining with said side walls a from opening for selective movement of said receptacle therethrough.

8. The refuse compactor structure of claim 4 wherein said frame substantially encloses the receptacle and ram for obviating the use of an outer cabinet in an under-the-counter installation.

9. In a refuse compactor having a refuse holding receptacle, a ram for compacting refuse in the receptacle, and drive means for driving the ram, support structure comprising: a sheet metal frame formed to define integral angle corner portions and an enclosure of a compacting space in which the ram compacts refuse received in said receptacle, said inturned angle corner portions defining a plurality of spaced vertically elongated guideways for guiding the ram in compacting movement thereof; and a base supporting said frame in an upright disposition and having means for carrying said receptacle and said drive means in operative association with said ram, said frame defining an opening for selective straightline movement of the receptacle therethrough into and from a compacting space within said frame.

l0. Th e reference compactor structure of claim 9 wherein said opening comprises a lower front opening to said space.

11. The refuse compactor structure of claim 9 wherein said ram guiding means defines the sides of said opening.

12. The refuse compactor structure of claim 9 including means for supporting an outer cabinet in surrounding relationship to said frame.

13. The refuse compactor structure of claim 9 wherein said frame is substantially symmetrical about a vertical fore-and-aft central plane.

14. The refuse compactor structure of claim 9 further including a base carrying said frame and defining an extension rearwardly of the frame for carrying said ram drive means thereon rearwardly of said compacting space, and means on said base for securing an outer cabinet in surrounding relationship to said frame and said ram drive means.

15. In a refuse compactor having a refuse holding receptacle, a ram for compacting refuse in the receptacle, and drive means for driving the ram, support structure comprising: a sheet metal frame formed to define an enclosure of a compacting space in which the ram compacts refuse received in said receptacle; means for guiding the ram during such compacting operation, an opening for selective movement of the receptacle therethrough to and from the compacting space; and means for supporting front outer cabinet wall on said frame, said frame opening being in the front of said frame and said front cabinet wall having an opening therein aligned with said frame opening for movement of said receptacle concurrently through each of said openings.

16. In a refuse compactor having a refuse holding receptacle, a ram for compacting refuse in the receptacle, and drive means for driving the ram, support structure comprising: a sheet metal frame formed to define an enclosure of a compacting space in which the ram compacts refuse received in said receptacle; means for guiding the ram during such compacting operation; an opening for selective movement of the receptacle therethrough to and from the compacting space; and a sheet metal base carrying said frame and defining an extension rearwardly of the frame for carrying said ram drive means thereon exteriorly of said compacting space.

17. In a refuse compactor having a refuse holding receptacle, a ram for compacting refuse in the receptacle, and drive means for driving the ram, support structure comprising: a sheet metal frame formed to define an enclosure of a compacting space in which the ram compacts refuse received in said receptacle; means for guiding the ram during such compacting operation; an opening for selective movement of the receptacle therethrough to and from the compacting space; and a one piece formed sheet metal wrapper defining an outer cabinet enclosing said frame.

18. In a refuse compactor having a refuse holding receptacle, a ram for compacting refuse in the receptacle and drive means for driving the ram, support struccentral plane. 

1. In a refuse compactor having a refuse holding receptacle, a ram for compacting refuse in the receptacle, and drive means for driving the ram, support structure comprising: a tubular frame having inturned angle corner portions defining a plurality of spaced vertically elongated guideways for guiding the ram in compacting movement thereof; and a base supporting said frame in an upright disposition and having means extending to outwardly of the lower end of the frame for carrying said receptacle and said drive means in operative association with saId ram.
 2. The refuse compactor structure of claim 1 wherein said frame defines a generally parallelepiped configuration.
 3. In a refuse compactor having a refuse holding receptacle, a ram for compacting refuse in the receptacle, and drive means for driving the ram, support structure comprising: a tubular frame having formed portions defining vertically elongated guideways for guiding the ram in compacting movement thereof; and means for supporting said frame in an upright disposition, said support structure further defining means for carrying said receptacle and said drive means in operative association with said ram, said frame defining a generally parallelepiped configuration and including inturned corner portions defining said guideways.
 4. In a refuse compactor having a refuse holding receptacle, a ram for compacting refuse in the receptacle, and drive means for driving the ram, support structure comprising: a tubular frame having formed portions defining vertically elongated guideways for guiding the ram in compacting movement thereof; and means for supporting said frame in an upright disposition, said support structure further defining means for carrying said receptacle and said drive means in operative association with said ram, said frame defining inturned right angular portions defining said guideways.
 5. The refuse compactor structure of claim 4 wherein said frame comprises a formed sheet metal structure.
 6. The refuse compactor structure of claim 4 wherein said guideways comprise integral formed portions of said frame.
 7. The refuse compactor structure of claim 4 wherein said frame comprises a sheet metal portion defining integral formed rear and side walls, and a front wall secured to the front of said side walls and defining with said side walls a front opening for selective movement of said receptacle therethrough.
 8. The refuse compactor structure of claim 4 wherein said frame substantially encloses the receptacle and ram for obviating the use of an outer cabinet in an under-the-counter installation.
 9. In a refuse compactor having a refuse holding receptacle, a ram for compacting refuse in the receptacle, and drive means for driving the ram, support structure comprising: a sheet metal frame formed to define integral angle corner portions and an enclosure of a compacting space in which the ram compacts refuse received in said receptacle, said inturned angle corner portions defining a plurality of spaced vertically elongated guideways for guiding the ram in compacting movement thereof; and a base supporting said frame in an upright disposition and having means for carrying said receptacle and said drive means in operative association with said ram, said frame defining an opening for selective straightline movement of the receptacle therethrough into and from a compacting space within said frame.
 10. The reference compactor structure of claim 9 wherein said opening comprises a lower front opening to said space.
 11. The refuse compactor structure of claim 9 wherein said ram guiding means defines the sides of said opening.
 12. The refuse compactor structure of claim 9 including means for supporting an outer cabinet in surrounding relationship to said frame.
 13. The refuse compactor structure of claim 9 wherein said frame is substantially symmetrical about a vertical fore-and-aft central plane.
 14. The refuse compactor structure of claim 9 further including a base carrying said frame and defining an extension rearwardly of the frame for carrying said ram drive means thereon rearwardly of said compacting space, and means on said base for securing an outer cabinet in surrounding relationship to said frame and said ram drive means.
 15. In a refuse compactor having a refuse holding receptacle, a ram for compacting refuse in the receptacle, and drive means for driving the ram, support structure comprising: a sheet metal frame formed to define an enclosure of a compacting space in which the ram compacts refuse receIved in said receptacle; means for guiding the ram during such compacting operation, an opening for selective movement of the receptacle therethrough to and from the compacting space; and means for supporting front outer cabinet wall on said frame, said frame opening being in the front of said frame and said front cabinet wall having an opening therein aligned with said frame opening for movement of said receptacle concurrently through each of said openings.
 16. In a refuse compactor having a refuse holding receptacle, a ram for compacting refuse in the receptacle, and drive means for driving the ram, support structure comprising: a sheet metal frame formed to define an enclosure of a compacting space in which the ram compacts refuse received in said receptacle; means for guiding the ram during such compacting operation; an opening for selective movement of the receptacle therethrough to and from the compacting space; and a sheet metal base carrying said frame and defining an extension rearwardly of the frame for carrying said ram drive means thereon exteriorly of said compacting space.
 17. In a refuse compactor having a refuse holding receptacle, a ram for compacting refuse in the receptacle, and drive means for driving the ram, support structure comprising: a sheet metal frame formed to define an enclosure of a compacting space in which the ram compacts refuse received in said receptacle; means for guiding the ram during such compacting operation; an opening for selective movement of the receptacle therethrough to and from the compacting space; and a one piece formed sheet metal wrapper defining an outer cabinet enclosing said frame.
 18. In a refuse compactor having a refuse holding receptacle, a ram for compacting refuse in the receptacle, and drive means for driving the ram, support structure comprising: a sheet metal frame formed to define an enclosure of a compacting space in which the ram compacts refuse received in said receptacle; means for guiding the ram during such compacting operation; and an opening for selective movement of the receptacle therethrough to and from the compacting space, said frame being substantially symmetrical about a vertical fore-and-aft central plane and comprising a pair of reversely similar frame halves welded together at said central plane. 